The Minister may, by notification in the Gazette, appoint such number of Social Welfare Officers to exercise the powers and perform the duties of a Protector under this Act subject to such conditions as may be specified in the notification.
Minister
“Minister” means the Minister or Ministers for the time being charged with the responsibility for the matter or matters in connection with which the reference to the “Minister” is made, acting individually or jointly or in consultation, as the case may require;
A Protector—
Protector
“Protector” means— (a) the Director General; (b) the Deputy Director General; (c) a Divisional Director of Social Welfare, Department of Social Welfare; (d); (e) any Social Welfare Officer appointed under section 8;
shall have the power of a Magistrate in respect of the taking of evidence at any inquiry held by him under this Act;
shall furnish to the Court a copy of the notes of such evidence when called upon to do so by order of the
Court; and
shall not be compellable in any judicial proceedings to answer any question as to the grounds of his decision or belief—
in any case dealt with by him under this Act; or
as to anything which came to his knowledge in any inquiry made by him as Protector.
Every order or summons purporting to be issued by and under the hand and seal of the Protector in pursuance of this
Act shall be received in evidence in any Court without further proof and shall be prima facie evidence of the facts stated in such order or summons.
Court
“Court” means the Court For Children or any other Court, as the case may require;
All acts done in pursuance of any order or summons referred to in subsection (3) shall be deemed to have been authorized by law.
Appointment of Assistant Protector
Assistant Protector
“Assistant Protector” means a person appointed by the Minister under section 8a;